Genesis 7:17-24

17 The flood continued for forty days, and the water became deep enough for the boat to float.

18 The water became deeper, and the boat drifted on the surface.

19 It became so deep that it covered the highest mountains;

20 it went on rising until it was about twenty-five feet above the tops of the mountains.

21 Every living being on the earth died - every bird, every animal, and every person.

22 Everything on earth that breathed died.

23 The Lord destroyed all living beings on the earth - human beings, animals, and birds. The only ones left were Noah and those who were with him in the boat.

24 The water did not start going down for a hundred and fifty days.

Genesis 7:17-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 7

This chapter begins with an order to Noah to come with his family and all the creatures into the ark, that they might be safe from the flood, which would quickly be upon the earth, Ge 7:1-4 and then gives an account of Noah's obedience to the divine command in every particular, Ge 7:5-9 and of the time of the beginning of the flood, and its prevalence, Ge 7:10-12 then follows a repetition of Noah, his family, and the creatures entering into the ark, Ge 7:13-16 and next a relation is given of the increase of the waters, and of the height they arrived unto, Ge 7:17-20 and of the consequences of the flood, the death and destruction of every living creature, except those in the ark, fowl, cattle, beast, creeping things, and men, Ge 7:21-23 and the chapter is closed with an account how long the waters continued before they began to ebb, even one hundred and fifty days, Ge 7:24.